Beleaguered clothing retailer American Apparel is in hot water yet again, this time after part of its hiring policy, which states that job applicants must be approved via a “full-body head-to-toe” photo, made its way to Gawker. AA brass says the body shots aren’t to determine attractiveness, but rather, to determine if a potential employee has the sartorial know-how to pull off, say, a lace onesie.
Creative director Marsha Brady (who we assume brushes her hair 100 times per side each night) defended the photographic research, saying, “To really showcase the fashionability of our products, we have to rely on the way our in-store employees style themselves with our clothes.” Wannabe AA applicants who don’t fit the aesthetic may be referred to as “off-brand” (not, you know, ugly) and not up to the exacting standards the company has set for itself. Sure, they might be $80 million in debt, but we’re sure Wall Street will love to hear that American Apparel is really buckling down and tackling the important issues to revive the brand.
• American Apparel has a ‘full body head to toe’ employment policy [Gawker]
This is terrible! My 17 year old neighbour was heartbroken after going for an interview at AA and not getting the job. She is adorable, average weight and dressed age appropriate – hence that was likely the reason she was not “unqualified” to fold sweaters and rearrange leggings on a hanging rack. They are going to go bankrupt soon anyways…
June 11, 2010 at 5:11 pm | by mariaThe definition of heinous: hatefully or shockingly evil.
June 16, 2010 at 12:35 pm | by JamieWhy yes, I can’t think of ANYTHING more evil than this….!
Seriously, I don’t see why American Apparel should be singled out for this practice.
Nightclubs hire attractive people to be servers and bartenders. A lot of companies prefer to hire an attractive receptionist. The film, music and fashion industries hire by looks. And so on.
Also, most clothing retailers require their staff to wear the clothes they sell.
Personally, I think AA’s clothes (and ads) are hideous, but I don’t think that wanting attractive people to represent them is heinous.
They aren’t the only ones that do this, have you taken a good look at Moxies’ employees? They get screened to work in certain areas based on looks and physical attributes. They even have a dress code which, translated, means the more skin the better!!!
June 16, 2010 at 6:29 pm | by KS